Chapter Twelve

Grand King showed up the next day, thankfully at a more reasonable hour -after breakfast where his napkin couldn't be stolen again. He greeted Sato and Natsu like they were family, even going so far as to offer volleyball lessons to his sister so that Grand King would be her rival too. Hinata thought that was weird, and sweet, Natsu hadn't shown any previous interest in volleyball before Grand King had showed up. He shrugged it off and took the hand that Grand King offered them.

"So, what are we doing today Grand King?" He asked, breaking the silence that had built up after they left his house. Grand King looked down at him, tan skin glowing and teeth gleaming as he smiled down at him, "Well, first we'll get you some breakfast," then that smile flattened out, and Grand King was giving him a serious look, studying him behind chocolate eyes. Hinata scoffed, "I can pay for my own breakfast." He admitted with a cross of his arms.

"I know that, I just want to take care of my chibi-chan." Then Grand King's ribs were pushing into his face and he wasn't sure if his cheeks were burning or Grand King was secretly an overheating robot. "What do you mean by that?" He asked, words muffled by Grand King's volleyball jacket. Grand King stopped walking and those big, warm hands were roaming over his shoulders, "What was that?" He asked, stupid, deaf Grand King. Then removed his face from The Grand King's chest.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Mean by what?"

"When you call me yours." His words were quiet, only for Grand King to hear.

Grand King laughed again and his ears burned, he pouted up at the older boy, and Grand King's hands stilled, "Isn't it obvious?" Obviously not, or I wouldn't be asking. He shook his head, and Grand King sighed, then those snake eyes were level with his, almost commented on how Grand King was on his knees before him but the serious look he was getting closed his throat.

The eyes before him softened, and Grand King looked suddenly looked like he did when he was on TV, "I want you to be mine. Forever. Boyfriends. Partners. Setter and spiker, if you want." Hinata scoffed, "Wouldn't your Number Four get mad if I took you away?" Grand King smirked, "I'm sure Iwa-chan wouldn't mind, he's always had a soft spot for cute things, like yours truly." And then his smile changed into something that couldn't be described with cute. Perfect, maybe, but not cute. But he nodded, grateful that he wouldn't have to face Number Four's wrath, or spike to the face, "You call that big guy Iwa-chan? He's like whoom! and the ball goes WHAM!" Grand King nodded, "We've known each other for a long time, since middle school."

"Didn't you meet Kageyama in middle school?" Grand King nodded, "He looked the same as he does now, just shorter." Hinata had a very hard time believing that, "He always looked like a lemon?" Grand King laughed, and it warmed something inside of him. He could see why Grand King was so popular now, Aside from his really cool serve, speaking of- "Can you teach me to serve like you?" He asked, couldn't help it, volleyball would forever be his first priority.

Grand King tapped his chin and only answered when Hinata gave him the eyes, "Ugh! Fine, just stop with those puppy-dog eyes." It was his turn to laugh, Hinata:1-Grand King:0 and smiled to himself, "I was gonna teach you something else, but I guess we can work on serves." Does Grand King also know Rolling Thunder. "What is it?" He all but yelled, gaining him several looks for several townspeople, one of which he recognized as the pastor from Sunday, "Might have something to do with these." Almost asked what, but his lips were covered, Grand King's thumb brushed over his lips. Soft, even with all his serving. Leave it Grand King to have soft hands while serving so hard. He bit Grand King's thumb.

"Okay, okay," he hissed, trying to pull his finger back but Hinata pressed his teeth in harder, "I get it, my chibi-chan is hungry." And his teeth snapped open for rebuttal then paused, "You tricked me." Another pout, Grand King's arm wrapped around his shoulder and they both looked at his injured thumb. "You marked me." Just showing people that you're mine. Hinata turned his face away, hiding his stupid, burning cheeks. "Did not."

"Did so." Then Grand King's lips, soft and warm and venomous, He gulped, "Want me to return the favor?" His spine tingled, "N-no," his hands clamping around his exposed neck, "You already did thatyesterday and everyone, including my sister, saw it, jerk."

"I'll make it up to you, with breakfast." He wasn't allowed to refuse, Grand King practically holding him down as he gave the bills to a stunned looking Ukai, the coach saying nothing as Grand King carried him, and the meat buns, away from the store. "My coach is gonna call the police on you." He said around an entire meat bun, making Grand King cringe.

They were back on the bench from yesterday, Kageyama thankfully absent, "Would you come visit me in jail?" He glared at The Grand King before smirking, "Nope." He said, face straight as he grabbed another meat bun. "B-but, Chibi-chan, I thought you loved me." What. Might have choked on those words, and a meat bun.

Warm hands slapping his back until he managed to swallow everything, "Why would you think that?" Grand King's hands were warm on his back but his face was cold, I think I made him mad. "Because I love you." Casual. Quiet. The truth. No games. He swallowed, I can't love Grand King, I barely know him.

"Why?" Grand King barely knew him either, how could he say something like that, "You're cute and sweet, and you like volleyball, and I really want to kiss you." You barely know me. Grand King's cheeks were red, a smooth rush of color across his tan cheeks. Stupid perfect skin, even when blushing. He sighed, "I don't know." It's the truth, he really didn't know if he liked, let alone loved The Grand King, but he'd always respect him. Grand King's chin wrinkled at his words. Are those tears?

"I'm really sorry." He admitted, feeling guilty for being unable to return Grand King's feelings, but Grand King just smiled, not like his usual bright smile, no teeth and barely upturned lips, "It's fine, Hinata, you don't just love me yet." No chibi-chan. Is that good or bad? He swallowed, yet?

Grand King's hand was in front of his face again, bite mark still there and slightly purple, "Besides, this'll be proof enough until you're really sure." And Grand King was laughing again, and so was he. Such an idiot. He sighed, heart feeling warm but icy. He leaned against Grand King, offering some comfort. "Sorry I'm a bad boyfriend, Grand King." Boyfriend. It felt weird coming out of his mouth, someone like him being boyfriends with someone perfect like The Grand King.

Grand King's arm was around him, pulling him closer, his breath smelt like meat buns, I think I can love this smell, he leaned against Grand King, wanting to comfort him for hurting his feelings. "People are staring at you, Grand King." He said eventually, finally noticing the looks the other was drawing. Grand King snickered, "I think they're looking at us." He looked up, "What's the difference?" He frowned. "You really don't know how cute you are, do you?" Grand King's voice lacked that usual tone when he said cute, he shook his head, "Compared to you, I'm just-"

"Don't compare yourself to me, Hinata." My name again. His stomach squirmed at that, "Why not? You're so tall, and your hair is like hwahh, and you spike really good, and your face is-" He cut himself off, cheeks burning at almost saying something nice about Grand King's stupid face. "Is?" He could hear that stupid smirk and he just hid his face in Aoba Johsai's colors.

It was dark when Grand King walked him home, Hinata watched the other's face as he lead the way, a mixture of shadows as they walked in between street lamps. "Thank you for teaching me to serve, Grand King." He said when the silence was starting to bother him. Grand King's laugh was refreshing in the summer heat, filling him with more stupid feelings he couldn't explain. "Can't have my boyfriend suck at serving, it might ruin my reputation." Reputation?

"You told people about us?" It sounded more like an accusation than he had intended, but that had given him a shock, I didn't think he'd want to be seen with me. There was relief and something else pooling in his stomach as he waiting for Grand King's answer, "Just Iwa-chan, well, I didn't tell him, he just figured it out, I guess." Grand King nodded to himself, then shot a smile at him. "Do you want people to know?" He could feel Grand King's eyes studying him. Hinata hummed at the question, he hadn't really thought about it before now, "Kageyama would kill me." Grand King nodded, "My mom would kill me." Another nod, "Natsu would- I don't know what Natsu would do, she really likes you." Grand King chuckled, more something pooled in him with every moment of it, "Don't worry, Hinata, I only have eyes for you." Then Grand King's lips were against his.

"You still didn't answer my question." Hinata didn't really feel like answering questions, except for maybe, Would you like to kiss more. He shrugged, "It's up to you, wouldn't want to ruin your reputation, or anything." He mocked but with no bite. Grand King laughed again, a peck on his cheek when he was done, "Guess I'll get your collar out."

"C-collar?" He gasped, reeling back to glare at Grand King. "Maybe with cute little diamonds, Property of Grand King, written on it- and I'm kidding." He didn't think it was very funny, You're mine. "Maybe a ring, or some more hickies, if you're not into jewelry." Another wink, and Hinata rubbed at his burning neck. I think Grand King was raised by wolves.

His house was much closer than it had been two kisses ago, "Will you be back tomorrow?" It slipped out, and then he realized how much he really wanted it to be, felt his heart sink a little when Grand King shook his head. "Gotta practice with my team for the Spring Tournament, and you should be doing the same, I'd hate for my expert coaching to go to waste." Hinata scoffed, "I'll make sure to beat you, and everyone else while I'm at it." Grand King laughed against his cheek and gave him another kiss, "I might come up before you leave for Tokyo."

"How'd you know I was going to Tokyo?" He shot Grand King a look, Grand King just pecked him again, "Kenma goes to Nekoma, right?" A nod, then a kiss to his nose, gross. "Nekoma is in Tokyo, right?" Another nod, a kiss to his lips. "I might even give you a special goodbye gift." Grand King's voice was lower, a unnecessary whisper in the lonely night.

"Meat buns?" He asked, also whispering, Grand King laughed into his mouth, double gross. "It's a surprise." If you loved me, you know I would hate waiting. He groaned against Grand King's tongue for a long time, until his lungs burnt. Took a long breath, then did it again until Grand King pulled back, frowning. "What's wrong?" And Hinata frowned back, "I hate waiting." He whined, not sounding like Natsu, at all.

Grand King just smiled, "It'll be worth the wait." He said cryptically, then pulled away, the warmth in Hinata's skin going with him.

He texted Daichi as soon as he was in his room,

"Practice tomorrow?" then noticed another message,

"What kind of pie do you like?" He had never had a pie besides apple before, and Kenma liked apple,

"Apple is fine" Two replies after his teeth were brushed,

"I asked what you liked, not what is fine." Kenma's kind of scary when he's bossy.

"Afterwork we can practice. No meat buns." He didn't know that Daichi had a job and tried to imagine his captain doing something besides being a captain. A chef? He'd probably yell at the customers... or burn the food. Maybe he works in a store. Or maybe he coaches volleyball. Maybe he yells at people. That could be a job.

"Ive never had other pies before"

"Where do you work?" Said good night to Natsu, who told him that Sato was now her rival.

"This is a chance to have more pie, Shoyo." He's not sure why Kenma made that sound so deep, he was slightly worried now.

"I work on a farm." That makes sense, there's no customers to yell at, but you can't really captain plants.

"Whatever you pick is fine kenma" He still had a bad feeling, having seen only a fraction of Kenma's game collection, he could only imagine what he would do when he had access to lots of pie.

"Is that fun?" Something about farming always seemed magical to him, making life or whatever, it also explained Daichi's really cool tan, and he might be slightly jealous.

"I'll make sure you have plenty." This is really, really not good.

"If breaking your back and smelling like poop is fun then yes" He grumbled at his captain's sarcasm, but wasn't really sure what to say from there. I hope your back doesn't break sounds stupid. Poop make it so you can't smell Kageyama.

"Please dont go overboard"

"Do you have lemon trees?" Tsukki and Kageyama sitting in a tree...

"I'm helping a friend." Jesus fucking Christ. On the bright side, I have three days to stop this.

"No why?" He really did not feel like expressing his thoughts on Kageyama and Tsukishima.

"Youve already helped enough" Company,volleyball, helping me with that...panic attack.

"No reason"

"I'm helping you more." I wonder if I can die from pie.

"Goodnight Hinata"

"I never thanked you for helping me with that thing the other day"

"Goodnight captain!"

"Are you feeling okay? You didn't have another one did you?"

"Still awake, Chibi-chan?" Grand King must be on the train now.

"Im fine and no you shouldnt worry so much you'll get wrinkles"

"A future ace never sleeps"

"Goodnight Shoyo"

"Don't you want to be a setter like me?" So many pouty faces...

"Goodnight kenma!"

"Aces are cooler then setters"

"Goodbye forever, Shoyo. It was nice knowing you."

"Did the train crash into the ocean"

"No, my boyfriend broke my heart" Even more pouty faces...

"I bet your boyfriend didnt mean it"

"Maybe. I'd have to punish him if he wasn't good." What the fuck.

"Goodnight Grand King"

"Shoyo, there's people at the door." He groaned, limbs heavy and brain almost still in a dream. "Shoyo!" The second outburst shocking him from sleep again, "Who is it?" He whined into his pillow, eyes already burning from the thought of sunlight. "Boys from your volleyball team." Practice right. He groaned loudly into his pillow then rolled off the bed, pillow firmly attached to his face. "I'll be right there." He said into the pillow before stumbling towards his dresser.

He was at the door in less than a minute at Sato's insistence, which gave him a very rare chance to skip breakfast. Didn't Daichi have to work? Maybe farms have different hours. He questioned, pulling on his sneakers and opening the door. It was quieter than he expected, having half of his volleyball team on his porch. "Uh, hi?" He asked, waving at them after they refused to speak. "Hinata, there's something on your neck. Fucking, shit. Fucking fuck. Fucking Grand King. He pulled his face into as neutral expression as he could while cursing the Grand King to hell. Then there were hands on his neck, rubbing at hishickies. He squirmed, looked up at Daichi who was looking at him, at his neck, with an odd look on his face.

"What happened, Hinata?" Suga-san asked, popping up from behind Daichi, then that pale face lit up scarlet. He knows. He cleared his throat, willing his own face not to fall to a similar fate. "I fell." He said plainly. Daichi's eyes flicked from his neck and their eyes met, there were very few times when he had seen his captain looking so angry. Why is he angry? Does he think I'm a slut?

"It's nothing." He says, trying to pull his shoulder away from a too firm grip. "Just some bruises from the landing." The landing of Grand King's mouth on my- Holy fuck what is wrong with me. He sighed, settling his hand on Daichi's, making the other pull back slowly. "Be more careful." Is all his captain says before turning around, leading the small pack away from his house.

"What did you fall on, Hinata?" It's Suga-san that asks, worried eyes glued to the bruises on his neck. He tugged on his collar, trying to keep his senpai's eyes off of them, "Uh, the steps outside my house." He felt bad, having to lie to his friends, even after he told Grand King it was okay to tell others. He just couldn't. Not after that look his captain had given him.

"There's only one step outside your house." Yes, yes there is. "It was a long fall." He countered, pulling a laugh from beside him, "You should really be more careful, Shoyo." Then a hand was on his back, pulling the air from his lungs. Noya-senpai is a little too strong, he realized while sucking in a deep breath. "Next time you might fall on someone." Holy fucking shit. He laughed, hiding his face in his hands, "Yes, that would be really bad." Suga-san please.

After that they all fell silent but it felt lighter, even knowing that all of them know. They just don't know who. His tongue rolled around his mouth, searching for the best way to put that it was The Grand King that had put the bruises there. With his mouth. He sighed. I'm a dead man.

Despite the mutual understanding from the rest of the team, Kageyama seemed unable to put two and two together. Thank Fucking God. His setter was staring at him as they walked towards the gym but hadn't uttered a word. Kageyama looked like he wanted to ask something, He saw me with Grand King. Falling on someone. He was very thankful that Kageyama wasn't that observant off the court.

They'd practiced until it got dark, just like every time, and Daichi hadn't said another word to him. Why's he being so weird, he doesn't hate me, does he? He doesn't think he could handle another teammate hating him, let alone a friend and senpai like Daichi. He wasn't exactly sure how to bring it up, the bruises were still there, and so was Daichi's disapproving stare as they exited the gym.

"You- You don't hate me, right?" He asked, having followed his captain towards his house instead of heading home, he just really needed to know before it tore him apart. He heard his captain sigh, then he turned around, walk towards him and his captain towered over him. Daichi's arms were on his shoulders again, away from the bruises, leaving them open for scrutiny. "I don't hate you." His tone indicated otherwise, "I just- I want you to be careful. I didn't even know you had someone like that." Like what? He nodded to his captain's words, he doesn't hate me, he's just worried. His cheeks were burning with a smile, Daichi glared down at him "What is it?" He muttered. "You care about me!" It really shouldn't have been that much of a surprise, but it was.

Daichi blinked, face stoic for a long time, then he smiled as well, pulling Hinata into a headlock and sanding his skull. "Ow! Ow! Oww!" He groaned, trying to pull away from his too strong captain. "What was that for?" He demanded, rubbing at his aching skull. "Making me worry." Hinata was pretty sure his captain was blushing, but it was too dark to tell for certain. "Why would you worry?" He couldn't help but ask, Daichi may be his captain, but Hinata is pretty much an adult.

"Does it matter? Kageyama is always teasing you, and Nishinoya's not really a role-model," He'd beg to differ, "I just wanted to look out for you, I guess." Hinata wasn't blushing, or crying for that matter, he was just allergic to feelings. He pushed himself into Daichi's chest, he smelled like sweat, and peas, and volleyball. He stayed like that for a while, summer night drowned out as Daichi rubbed his hair. "I thought you'd hate me." He admitted, wiping snot onto Daichi's shirt.

He got a glare for that, then a softer look, "Why?" Hinata was tired of simple questions, they never had simple answers. "I thought you'd call me a slut." It's barely a whisper but with the way Daichi stiffens against him, he knows he is heard. "Did someone call you that?" Grand King. He shakes his head, tucking it into back into Daichi's shirt.

Daichi is quiet for a long time, "You'll never be that," a tug on his hair makes him look up, "'Cause you're Hinata Shoyo, future ace of Karasuno, right?" And Hinata laughed, tension gone from his shoulders. He patted Daichi's back, "Thank you." Daichi hummed against him, "I should probably get home." Daichi nodded, making space between them, "Goodnight, future ace." He laughed again, "Good night, Farmer Daichi." His captain snorted and they split paths.

Out of all the people he expected to text him, Kageyama was not one of them,

"Dont fall again idiot spring tournament is coming up" Pretty sure it's not for six months, is this his way of showing care? Maybe Kageyama needs Daichi more than I do...

"I care about you to kageyama" Even if you are a lemon-faced idiot. Kageyama didn't respond to that and he cackled all the way home, Grand King texted him as soon as he was ready to sleep. It's like he knows how to be the most inconvenient boyfriend ever. Not that he had a lot of context to compare bad boyfriends, but texting someone who's about to sleep sounding like one of the worst things someone could do in his opinion.

"Do you miss me yet?" That was a complicated question, and it has a simple answer, but that's boring.

"And if i do"

"I miiiiight have some meat buns when I come see you." Maybe he knows me better than I thought...

"Then I miss you" Does bribery count as a mind game?

"Do you have something for me?" What could Grand King even want, he could have anyone and anything, but he chose...

"Me"

"Oh Chibi-chan, if I knew you were so frisky today I would have texted sooner!" What does frisky even mean.

"What"

"What are you wearing, my thoughts exactly." Grand King has a weird thought process.

"Pajamas"

"Cute~" Grand King could find a dead body cute.

"Goodnight GrandKing"

"But Hinata, I'm so lonely." Hinata sighed.

"Dont u have other friends"

"None are as cute as you" Followed by six hearts.

"Goodnight"